# NTSB WPR21LA360: Cessna 182E, N3121Y, Warren, ID, September 27, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: September 27, 2021, 10:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Warren, ID
- Coordinates: 45.284081, -115.6021 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2841&lon=-115.6021&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 104037
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA360
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104037/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104037
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA360

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain altitude while maneuvering in a valley of mountainous terrain.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, during the initial climb, she encountered downdrafts. She decided against a crosswind turn and maneuvered the airplane though a valley with the intention of turning the airplane around. However, the airplane was unable to outclimb the terrain and struck treetops. Subsequently, the airplane impacted terrain and a fire ensued. The airplane was destroyed during the postimpact fire. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3121Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3121Y-2022-08-06), registration cancelled 2022-08-06, S/N 18254121 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182E
- Registry model: [Cessna 182E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182e) (registry code 2072712) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18254121
- Year built: 1962
- Airframe hours: 5500
- Engines: Continental O-470 reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bill Rhoades
- Registered owner: Bill Rhoades
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 15, 2021, 20 hours before
- Departed: 3U1, Warren, ID
- Destination: BOI, Boise, ID
- Airport: 3U1, Warren /Usfs/, runway 12/30, 2,765 × 50 ft, dirt
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B, Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial, flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 9, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 18,000 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 7,000 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 6.2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.99 inHg
- Observed at: KMYL, 32 nm away
- METAR: KMYL 271651Z AUTO 18007KT 10SM CLR 16/01 A2999 RMK AO2 SLP131 T01560011

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20210927016419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210927016419A), Sep 27, 2021: Cessna 182E, Warren, ID, Substantial damage. The pilot departed runway 12 at 3U1 when the winds were gusting. The pilot encountered downdrafts after takeoff and was unable to outclimb the mountainous…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 19, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104037. 6.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 5.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13784907&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Accident photo (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13857565&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20360-Rel.pdf

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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